§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what part of the additional expenditure on health and welfare services in 1971–72 and subsequent years described on page 38 of Command Paper No. 4578 (Public Expenditure 1969–70 to 1974–75) is expected to be spent in the Bournemouth and Christchurch area; and on what projects.
§ Mr. AlisonIn most cases it is not possible to identify schemes which will be financed from the additions to resources. The enlarged allocations have enabled the Wessex Regional Hospital Board to prepare estimates within a greater total sum; to accelerate a number of capital schemes in the current financial year including schemes at Bournemouth, Boscombe and Christchurch; and to326W accommodate the consequential revenue commitment. Decisions on further improvements will be taken in the light of a review of services in the region which is being undertaken jointly with general practitioners and local authorities. Local authorities are fully aware of the importance we attach to improvement of services for the mentally handicapped, the elderly, the mentally ill and others, and the capital programmes they will be sending my right hon. Friend later in the year will reflect their decisions.